Sunna Gunnlaugs solo piano & Fergus McCreadie solo piano – co-headline show

Sunna Gunnlaugs’ work has received significant critical acclaim since her 2000 release ‘Mindful’ was selected among the top 10 albums of the year by the Virginian Pilot. Her 2003 release ‘live in Europe’ reached top 10 on both Canadian and US jazz radio charts. Her 2010 release ‘The Dream’ jumped to number 2 on the Canadian radio charts and reached number 20 on the US CMJ radio charts.

Her albums have received extremely positive reviews in leading jazz magazines across the world such as Jazzthetik and Jazzpodium in Germany, Concerto in Austria, Jazzwize in the UK, Jazzman in France, Swing Journal & Tokyo Jazz Notes in Japan, Downbeat in the US, the online publication All About Jazz and many more. All of her albums have been nominated for the Icelandic Music Awards and in 2015 as well as 2019 she won performer of the year.

She has performed at prestigious festivals such as JazzAhead in Bremen, the Kennedy Center’s Nordic Cool, The London Jazz Festival, The Oslo Jazz Festival, The Rochester International Jazz Festival, Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Montreal International Jazz Festival, Rotterdam International Jazz Festival and the Belgrade Jazz Festival. She has also performed at Europe’s most important jazz clubs such as Porgy & Bess in Vienna, Unterfahrt in Munich, Bimhuis in Amsterdam and Sunset in Paris to name a few.

Fergus McCreadie is one of the most exciting young jazz pianists on the world stage. With his unique blend of Jazz and Scottish folk music inspired by his country’s sublime landscapes, Fergus captures the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide. He is undoubtedly a future star in the making.

Released on Edition Records to instant critical acclaim, Forest Floor topped the UK Jazz & Blues charts, prompting sold-out performances at Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh and Love Supreme this summer. Fergus is the only non-classical musician to be selected as a 2022 BBC New Generation Artist. In 2022, Fergus was awarded the JazzFM Award for Instrumentalist of the Year, on top of winning the Scottish Album of the Year Award on the same day.

Fergus has an innate depth, flair and natural expression that communicates beyond his years. His ability to transition from a full flowing, radiant pulse-wash of sound to a tranquil, first light stillness in a moment is simply breathtaking. Whilst his music is built on the folk traditions he has grown up with, it’s the versatility of rhythm and colour, from the most delicate shades to the highest energy, that’s captivating.

Forest Floor, its artwork and aesthetic, develops the themes of Fergus’s repertoire. Whilst his second album ‘Cairn’,released on Edition Records in January 2021, focussed on the permanence and beauty of Scottish stone, Fergus felt that this album had a greater earthiness to it, illustrated by the changes the seasons produce on the forest floor, a perception that fed into the concept for the new work. The connection to Fergus’ locality, the nature and landscapes of Scotland, provides his music with huge appeal that goes beyond jazz and music.

The album was shortlisted for the 2022 Mercury Prize with Free Now and was awarded Scottish Album of the Year in 2022.

‘A giddying fusion of Scottish culture and jazz history’ – The Times

‘One of my favourite jazz piano trio albums of the last few years’ – Jamie Cullum

Friday 16 June, 7.00pm – 10.00pm | Mackintosh Queen’s Cross | Tickets from £25.71